Communication control system, information center, motor vehicle, communication control program, and system establishing the communication control system

ABSTRACT

A system controlling an operation of an information processing device mounted on a mobile apparatus such as a motor vehicle to cause it to efficiently receive data, while ensuring economy of the resources of the mobile apparatus, is provided. According to the device control system ( 10 ), even when the motor vehicle ( 1 ) is switched from the ON state to the OFF state, the first information processing device ( 11 ) is maintained in the ON state exceptionally when the device is set to receive data through a high-speed broadcast channel. As such, the first information processing device ( 11 ) is maintained in the ON state, while the motor vehicle ( 1 ) is in the OFF state, to allow it to receive designated data through the high-speed broadcast channel. Further, since the designated data is broadcast at high speed by the information center ( 20 ), the time required for the first information processing device ( 11 ) to complete reception of the designated data is reduced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system (device control system)controlling an operation of an information processing device mounted ona mobile apparatus, an information center broadcasting data to bereceived by the information processing device, a motor vehicle as themobile apparatus provided with the device control system, a programproviding a computer mounted in the mobile apparatus with the functionof controlling the device, and a system establishing the device controlsystem.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various information processing devices mounted on a motor vehicle, suchas a navigation device, a traveling control device and the like, havetheir functions updated as software stored in a memory of each device isupdated, to ensure improvement in user-friendliness of the motor vehicleas well as the information processing devices. The software is updatedas the data for updating of the software is distributed from thedistribution source to the information processing device (see JapanesePatent No. 3498887).

The information processing device mounted on a motor vehicle ismaintained in an ON state and controlled to receive packets on thecondition that the motor vehicle is in an ON state and the engine(internal combustion engine) is running. This means that if the numberof data packets is large and thus it takes a long time to completereception of all the packets, the energy resources (gasoline, batterypower and others) of the motor vehicle would be wasted.

Meanwhile, if the packets are constantly broadcast in order to reducethe time to complete reception of all the packets, the broadcastresources such as band widths will be constantly allocated to thebroadcasting of the relevant packets. This may restrict broadcasting ofother data (content and the like) to the information processing devicesuch as a navigation device mounted on the motor vehicle, making theuser of the information processing device feel inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is toprovide a system (device control system) that controls an operation ofan information processing device mounted on a mobile apparatus such as amotor vehicle to cause the information processing device to efficientlyreceive data, while ensuring economy of the resources of the mobileapparatus, an information center broadcasting data that can be receivedby the information processing device, a motor vehicle as a mobileapparatus provided with the device control system, a program providingthe device control function to a computer mounted in the mobileapparatus, and a system establishing the device control system.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda device control system for controlling an operation of a firstinformation processing device mounted on a mobile apparatus, the firstinformation processing device having a function to receive data,broadcast at low speed or high speed from an information center, througha low-speed broadcast channel or a high-speed broadcast channel andbeing switched between an ON state and an OFF state normally in responseto switching of the mobile apparatus between an ON state and an OFFstate, wherein the device control system includes: a first processingsection to recognize whether the first information processing device isset to receive data through the high-speed broadcast channel; and asecond processing section, when the mobile apparatus is switched fromthe ON state to the OFF state, to maintain the first informationprocessing device in the ON state and cause the first informationprocessing device to receive designated data through the high-speedbroadcast channel on the condition that it is recognized by the firstprocessing section that the first information processing device is setto receive data through the high-speed broadcast channel.

According to the device control system of the first aspect of theinvention, when the mobile apparatus is switched from the ON state tothe OFF state, the first information processing device is maintained inthe ON state exceptionally when the first information processing deviceis set to receive data through the high-speed broadcast channel. Assuch, it is possible to maintain the first information processing devicein the ON state, while the mobile apparatus is in the OFF state, tocause the first information processing device to receive, or continue toreceive, the designated data through the high-speed broadcast channel.Further, since the designated data is broadcast at high speed from theinformation center, the time required for the first informationprocessing device to complete reception of the designated data isreduced. Accordingly, the operation of the first information processingdevice mounted on the mobile apparatus can be controlled to cause it toefficiently receive data, while ensuring economy of the resources of themobile apparatus.

The device control system according to a second aspect of the inventionis characterized in that, in the device control system of the firstaspect, the first information processing device is switched from the ONstate to the OFF state on the conditions that it is recognized by thefirst processing section that reception of the designated data by thefirst information processing device has been completed and that themobile apparatus is in the OFF state.

According to the device control system of the second aspect of theinvention, the first information processing device is switched from theON state to the OFF state in response to completion of reception of thedesignated data by the first information processing device. This savesthe resources for maintaining the first information processing device inthe ON state.

The device control system according to a third aspect of the inventionis characterized in that, in the device control system of the firstaspect, when it is recognized by the first processing section thatreception of the designated data through the high-speed broadcastchannel by the first information processing device has been interrupted,the second processing section switches the first information processingdevice from the ON state to the OFF state on the conditions that themobile apparatus is in the OFF state and that it is recognized that anamount of an unreceived portion of the designated data is equal to orgreater than a threshold value, and the second processing sectionmaintains the first information processing device in the ON state andcauses the first information processing device to receive the unreceivedportion of the designated data through the low-speed broadcast channelon the condition that it is recognized that the amount of the unreceivedportion of the designated data is less than the threshold value.

According to the device control system of the third aspect of theinvention, when reception of the designated data through the high-speedbroadcast channel by the first information processing device isinterrupted, the first information processing device is controlled tothe ON state or the OFF state depending on the amount of theyet-to-be-received portion (unreceived portion) of the designated data.More specifically, if the unreceived amount of data is equal to orgreater than a threshold value, the first information processing deviceis switched to the OFF state. This prevents the first informationprocessing device from being maintained in the ON state for a longperiod of time until completion of reception of the unreceived portionof the designated data through the low-speed broadcast channel. On theother hand, if the unreceived amount of data is less than the thresholdvalue, the first information processing device is maintained in the ONstate to cause it to continuously receive the unreceived portion of thedesignated data through the low-speed broadcast channel. Accordingly, itis possible to make the first information processing device completereception of the unreceived portion of the designated data through thelow-speed broadcast channel, while preventing prolongation of the timeduring which the first information processing device is maintained inthe ON state.

The device control system according to a fourth aspect of the inventionis characterized in that, in the device control system of the firstaspect, the first processing section recognizes whether reception of thedesignated data by the first information processing device has beencompleted based on whether the number of packets constituting thedesignated data that have been received by the first informationprocessing device has reached a reference number.

According to the device control system of the fourth aspect of theinvention, it can be recognized that reception of the designated data isincomplete when the number of the received packets is less than thereference value, while it can be recognized that reception of thedesignated data has been completed when the number of the receivedpackets has reached the reference value.

The device control system according to a fifth aspect of the inventionis characterized in that, in the device control system of the firstaspect, after it is recognized by the first processing section thatreception of the designated data by the first information processingdevice has been completed, on the condition that there is an updateinstruction operation by an operator in the first information processingdevice, the second processing section updates a function of the firstinformation processing device or a second information processing devicethat is different from the first information processing device based onthe designated data.

According to the device control system of the fifth aspect of theinvention, it is possible to allow the operator to select eitherexecution or suspension of updating of the function of the first orsecond information processing device for which the designated data wasreceived.

The device control system according to a sixth aspect of the inventionis characterized in that, in the device control system of the fifthaspect, the second processing section causes the first informationprocessing device to output an update completion notification indicatingthat updating of the function of the first information processing deviceor the second information processing device based on the designated datahas been completed.

According to the device control system of the sixth aspect of theinvention, it is possible to allow the operator to recognize that thefunction of the first or second information processing device has beenupdated in response to the update instruction operation. Further, it ispossible to allow the information center or the concerned party torecognize the progress in updating of the first or second informationprocessing device mounted on each of a large number of mobileapparatuses to thereby enable, e.g., creation of the broadcast plan ofthe designated data by the information center.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an information center broadcasting data at low speed or highspeed to be received by a first information processing device mounted ona mobile apparatus through a low-speed broadcast channel or a high-speedbroadcast channel, the first information processing device beingswitched between an ON state and an OFF state normally in response toswitching of the mobile apparatus between an ON state and an OFF state,wherein the mobile apparatus has mounted thereon a device control systemincluding a first processing section to recognize whether the firstinformation processing device is set to receive data through thehigh-speed broadcast channel, and a second processing section, when themobile apparatus is switched from the ON state to the OFF state, tomaintain the first information processing device in the ON state andcause the first information processing device to receive designated datathrough the high-speed broadcast channel on the condition that it isrecognized by the first processing section that the first informationprocessing device is set to receive data through the high-speedbroadcast channel, and wherein the information center includes: abroadcast plan notification portion to broadcast a broadcast planindicating a time zone, or a time zone and an area, in which the firstinformation processing device is capable of receiving the designateddata through the high-speed broadcast channel, to allow the broadcastplan to be output to an information terminal accessible by an operatorwho switches the mobile apparatus between the ON state and the OFFstate.

According to the information center of the seventh aspect of theinvention, it is possible to allow the operator to recognize thebroadcast plan, and thus, to cause the operator to switch the mobileapparatus from the OFF state to the ON state in the appropriate timezone, or in the appropriate time zone and area, from the standpoint ofeconomy of the resources of the mobile apparatus, and to start thereception of the designated data by the first information processingdevice mounted on the mobile apparatus.

The information center according to an eighth aspect of the invention ischaracterized in that, in the information center of the seventh aspect,in the device control system, after it is recognized by the firstprocessing section that reception of the designated data by the firstinformation processing device has been completed, on the condition thatthere is an update instruction operation by an operator in the firstinformation processing device, a function of the first informationprocessing device or a second information processing device that isdifferent from the first information processing device is updated by thesecond processing section based on the designated data, and an updatecompletion notification indicating that updating of the function hasbeen completed is output from the first information processing device,wherein the information center further includes: a broadcast plangeneration portion to generate the broadcast plan based on the updatecompletion notification output from the first information processingdevice.

According to the information center of the eighth aspect of theinvention, an appropriate broadcast plan of the designated data can begenerated in consideration of the progress in updating of the functionof the first information processing device mounted on each of a largenumber of mobile apparatuses. Then, the designated data is broadcast ina specific time zone, or in a specific time zone and area, in accordancewith the broadcast plan.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda motor vehicle as a mobile apparatus having a device control systemmounted thereon, wherein the device control system controls an operationof a first information processing device mounted on the mobileapparatus, the first information processing device having a function toreceive data, broadcast at low speed or high speed from an informationcenter, through a low-speed broadcast channel or a high-speed broadcastchannel and being switched between an ON state and an OFF state normallyin response to switching of the mobile apparatus between an ON state andan OFF state, and wherein the device control system includes: a firstprocessing section to recognize whether the first information processingdevice is set to receive data through the high-speed broadcast channel;and a second processing section, when the mobile apparatus is switchedfrom the ON state to the OFF state, to maintain the first informationprocessing device in the ON state and cause the first informationprocessing device to receive designated data through the high-speedbroadcast channel on the condition that it is recognized by the firstprocessing section that the first information processing device is setto receive data through the high-speed broadcast channel.

According to the motor vehicle of the ninth aspect of the invention, theoperation of the first information processing device mounted on themotor vehicle can be controlled to cause it to efficiently receive data,while ensuring economy of the resources (energy sources like gasolineand electric power) of the motor vehicle.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda device control program for causing a computer mounted in a mobileapparatus to function as a system controlling an operation of aninformation processing device mounted on the mobile apparatus, theinformation processing device having a function to receive data,broadcast at low speed or high speed from an information center, througha low-speed broadcast channel or a high-speed broadcast channel andbeing switched between an ON state and an OFF state normally in responseto switching of the mobile apparatus between an ON state and an OFFstate, wherein the system includes: a first processing section torecognize whether the first information processing device is set toreceive data through the high-speed broadcast channel; and a secondprocessing section, when the mobile apparatus is switched from the ONstate to the OFF state, to maintain the first information processingdevice in the ON state and cause the first information processing deviceto receive designated data through the high-speed broadcast channel onthe condition that it is recognized by the first processing section thatthe first information processing device is set to receive data throughthe high-speed broadcast channel.

According to the device control program of the tenth aspect of theinvention, the computer mounted in the mobile apparatus is provided withthe function to control the operation of the first informationprocessing device mounted on the mobile apparatus to cause it toefficiently receive data, while ensuring economy of the resources of themobile apparatus.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an establishment system for establishing a computer mounted ina mobile apparatus as a device control system by distributing orbroadcasting part or all of a device control program and causing thecomputer to store the same, wherein the device control system controlsan operation of a first information processing device mounted on themobile apparatus, the first information processing device having afunction to receive data, broadcast at low speed or high speed from aninformation center, through a low-speed broadcast channel or ahigh-speed broadcast channel and being switched between an ON state andan OFF state normally in response to switching of the mobile apparatusbetween an ON state and an OFF state, and wherein the device controlsystem includes: a first processing section to recognize whether thefirst information processing device is set to receive data through thehigh-speed broadcast channel; and a second processing section, when themobile apparatus is switched from the ON state to the OFF state, tomaintain the first information processing device in the ON state andcause the first information processing device to receive designated datathrough the high-speed broadcast channel on the condition that it isrecognized by the first processing section that the first informationprocessing device is set to receive data through the high-speedbroadcast channel.

According to the establishment system of the eleventh aspect of theinvention, the system controlling the operation of the first informationprocessing device mounted on the mobile apparatus to cause it toefficiently receive data, while ensuring economy of the resources of themobile apparatus, can be established at an arbitrary timing. It is notedthat the establishment system may function as the information center tobroadcast the relevant program as the designated data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates configurations of a device control system and othersaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate functions of the device control system and othersaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the device control system and others of the presentinvention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

Firstly, the configurations of the device control system and othersaccording to an embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to FIG. 1.

A motor vehicle (mobile apparatus) 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with afirst information processing device 11, a second information processingdevice 12, and a device control system 10 that controls an operation offirst information processing device 11 and others. First informationprocessing device 11 and second information processing device 12 areeach switched between an ON state and an OFF state normally in responseto switching of motor vehicle 1 between an ON state and an OFF state.

First information processing device 11 receives data broadcast at lowspeed or high speed from an information center 20 via a low-speedbroadcast channel or a high-speed broadcast channel. First informationprocessing device 11 may be, e.g., a navigation device, which has afunction of searching for a route to a destination based on mapinformation, a function of displaying the searched route on a display,and the like.

Second information processing device 12 may be, e.g., a hands-freecommunication device, a device controlling the behavior of motor vehicle1 in accordance with outputs from a rudder angle sensor, a speed sensor,a yaw rate sensor and other sensors (not shown), or an air-conditioningcontrol device.

Device control system 10 is composed of: an ECU or computer (having CPU,ROM, RAM, I/O and others) as hardware mounted on motor vehicle 1; and a“device control program” of the present invention as software stored ina memory and providing various functions to the computer. The devicecontrol program may be stored from the beginning in a memory (orrecording medium) of the computer mounted in the motor vehicle, or allor part of the program may be distributed or transmitted frominformation center 20 or other server (not shown) via a network orsatellite to the computer mounted in the motor vehicle, at an arbitrarytiming such as upon a request from the computer, and stored in thememory. Further, all or part of the device control program of thepresent invention may be broadcast from information center 20 as “updatedata”, and thereafter, it may be input and stored in the computermounted in the motor vehicle.

Device control system 10 includes a first processing section 101 and asecond processing section 102.

First processing section 101 causes first information processing device11 to attain a state enabling a prescribed operation by an operator, onthe condition that prescribed information broadcast from informationcenter 20 is received by first information processing device 11.Further, first processing section 101 causes first informationprocessing device 11 to recognize designated data received via ahigh-speed broadcast channel. First processing section 101 may causefirst information processing device 11 to additionally recognize dataother than the designated data received via a low-speed broadcastchannel. Moreover, first processing section 101 causes first informationprocessing device 11 to start reception of the designated data, on thecondition that it is recognized that there was the prescribed operationby the operator in first information processing device 11. Furthermore,first processing section 101 determines whether reception of thedesignated data by first information processing device 11 has beencompleted, not completed yet, or interrupted, based on whether all thepackets constituting the designated data have been received by firstinformation processing device 11, and decoded, verified, and stored inthe memory. Still further, first processing section 101 determineswhether first information processing device 11 has been set to receivedata through a high-speed broadcast channel.

Second processing section 102, when motor vehicle 1 is switched from theON state to the OFF state, causes first information processing device 11to maintain the ON state to receive the designated data through thehigh-speed broadcast channel, on the condition that it is recognized byfirst processing section 101 that first information processing device 11is set to receive data through the high-speed broadcast channel.Further, when motor vehicle 1 is switched from the ON state to the OFFstate, second processing section 102 restricts, e.g., execution ofinformation processing by first information processing device 11,similarly on the condition that it is recognized by first processingsection 101 that first information processing device 11 is set toreceive data through the high-speed broadcast channel. For example,second processing section 102 restricts reception of data other than thedesignated data by first information processing device 11. Further,second processing section 102 restricts an execution instruction forinformation processing to first information processing device 11 by theoperator. Furthermore, second processing section 102 restricts anexecution request for information processing from second informationprocessing device 12 to first information processing device 11.

Second processing section 102 outputs to the display a “restrictionnotification” indicating that the operator's execution instruction forinformation processing to first information processing device 11 isrestricted. Further, second processing section 102 outputs to secondinformation processing device 12 a “restriction notification” indicatingthat the execution request for information processing from secondinformation processing device 12 to first information processing device11 is restricted.

Further, second processing section 102 switches first informationprocessing device 11 and the like from the ON state to the OFF state, onthe conditions that first processing section 101 recognizes thatreception of the designated data by first information processing device11 has been completed and that the mobile apparatus is in the OFF state.Furthermore, second processing section 102 removes the restriction onexecution of the information processing by first information processingdevice 11 and the like, similarly on the condition that first processingsection 101 recognizes that reception of the designated data by firstinformation processing device 11 has been completed. Still further,second processing section 102 outputs a “removal notification”indicating that the restriction on execution of the informationprocessing by first information processing device 11 and the like hasbeen removed.

After first processing section 101 recognizes that reception of thedesignated data by first information processing device 11 has beencompleted, on the condition that there is an update instructionoperation by a user in first information processing device 11, secondprocessing section 102 updates the function of first informationprocessing device 11 or second information processing device 12 based onthe designated data. Further, second processing section 102 causes firstinformation processing device 11 to transmit to information center 20 an“update completion notification” indicating that updating of thefunction of first information processing device 11 or second informationprocessing device 12 based on the designated data has been completed.

Information center 20 corresponds to a server (having CPU, ROM, RAM, I/Oand others), which includes a broadcast plan notification portion 21 anda broadcast plan generation portion 22. Information center 20 broadcastsvarious information and data, including prescribed information forenabling a prescribed operation by an operator in first informationprocessing device 11.

Broadcast plan notification portion 21 broadcasts a “broadcast plan”indicating the time zone, or time zone and area, in which firstinformation processing device 11 is capable of receiving designated datathrough a high-speed broadcast channel, so that it can be output to aninformation terminal 2 accessible by the operator. Broadcast plangeneration portion 22 generates the broadcast plan based on the updatecompletion notification transmitted from first information processingdevice 11 to information center 20 by second processing section 102.

It is noted that first processing device 11 may transmit/receive datato/from information center 20 in various manners. For example, firstprocessing device 11 may receive data from information center 20 not viaa satellite 202 but via a network. Further, first processing device 11may transmit data to information center 20 (or a server constituting thesame) not via a network but via satellite 202.

Hereinafter, the functions of device control system 10 and others havingthe above-described configurations will be described with reference toFIGS. 2-4.

Prior to execution of “first processing”, a “broadcast plan” isdistributed from broadcast plan notification portion 21 to informationterminal 2, and is displayed on a display of information terminal 2.This allows the operator to recognize the broadcast plan, such as“high-speed broadcasting (burst broadcasting) is performed from XX hourto YY hour on ZZ (date)”, through the display of information terminal 2.

When the operator switches the ignition switch of motor vehicle 1 fromOFF to ON (FIG. 2: S010), device control system 10 as well as firstinformation processing device 11 and second information processingdevice 12 are switched from the OFF state to the ON state where they areoperable by power supplied from a battery mounted on the motor vehicle(not shown) (FIG. 2: S011). At this time, first information processingdevice 11 and second information processing device 12 are activatedaccording to the existing software stored in the memory.

In response thereto, first processing section 101 starts the “firstprocessing”.

Initially, first processing section 101 recognizes whether “prescribedinformation” broadcast from information center 20 has been received byfirst information processing device 11 (FIG. 2: S012). The prescribedinformation may be, for example, the information received by firstinformation processing device 11 together with or as a part of an updatecommand, which will be described later. If first processing section 101recognizes that the prescribed information has already been received byfirst information processing device 11 (FIG. 2: YES in S012), it causesfirst information processing device 11 to attain a state enabling a“prescribed operation” by the operator (FIG. 2: S013). Correspondingly,a message indicating that the prescribed operation is possible in firstinformation processing device 11 and a touch button for the prescribedoperation are displayed on the display (navigation display) of firstinformation processing device 11, as shown in FIG. 4, for example. Theprescribed operation may be an input of a password unique to motorvehicle 1, first information processing device 11 or the like. Further,the password may be the one corresponding to the prescribed informationbroadcast from information center 20. Furthermore, the prescribedoperation may be an input of the password or a contact to a prescribedbutton within the time zone (or, the time zone and area) in accordancewith the broadcast plan broadcast from information center 20.

Meanwhile, if first processing section 101 recognizes that theprescribed information has not been received by first informationprocessing device 11 (FIG. 2: NO in S012) and when the operator hasswitched the ignition switch from ON to OFF (FIG. 2: YES in S014),second processing section 102 switches all of device control system 10,first information processing device 11 and second information processingdevice 12 from the ON state to the OFF state (FIG. 3: S029).

Further, first processing section 101 recognizes whether a prescribedoperation has been performed by the operator in first informationprocessing device 11 (FIG. 2: S015). If first processing section 101recognizes that the prescribed operation has been performed (FIG. 2: YESin S015), it causes first information processing device 11 to recognize“designated data” received through a high-speed broadcast channel (FIG.2: S016). For example, first information processing device 11 recognizesa data identifier for identification of the designated data. The dataidentifier has been received by first information processing device 11,e.g., together with or as a part of an update command, which will bedescribed later, and has been stored in the memory. Further, firstprocessing section 101 causes first information processing device 11 tostart reception of the designated data through the high-speed broadcastchannel (FIG. 2: S017). First information processing device 11 uses adata identifier assigned to the packet obtained through the high-speedbroadcast channel, for example, to recognize whether the packet is theone constituting the designated data. Furthermore, first processingsection 101 determines whether reception of the designated data by firstinformation processing device 11 has been completed or not (FIG. 2:S018). The determination as to whether the reception of the designateddata has been completed or not is made based on whether all the packetsconstituting the designated data have been received by first informationprocessing device 11, and decoded, verified, and stored in the memory.

Meanwhile, if first processing section 101 recognizes that there is noprescribed operation by the operator for more than a predeterminedperiod of time in first information processing device 11 (FIG. 2: NO inS015) and when the operator switches the ignition switch from ON to OFF(FIG. 3: YES in S028), second processing section 102 switches all ofdevice control system 10, first information processing device 11 andsecond information processing device 12 from the ON state to the OFFstate (FIG. 3: S029).

When determining that the reception of the designated data by firstinformation processing device 11 is incomplete (FIG. 2: YES in S018),first processing section 101 determines whether first informationprocessing device 11 has been set to receive data through a high-speedbroadcast channel (FIG. 2: S019). The relevant determination is made,for example, based on whether first information processing device 11 hasreceived an update command from information center 20 and whether it iswithin the period during which the update command is effective. Further,the relevant determination is made based on whether first informationprocessing device 11 has received every one of content notifications ofthe software parts designated by the relevant update command and whetherit is within the period during which the content notifications areeffective. Still further, the relevant determination is made based onwhether an update content list has been displayed on the display offirst information processing device 11, based on the update command, andwhether the operator has performed a prescribed, update permissionoperation.

If it is determined by first processing section 101 that firstinformation processing device 11 has not been set to receive datathrough a high-speed broadcast channel (FIG. 2: NO in S019) and when theoperator has switched the ignition switch from ON to OFF (FIG. 3: YES inS028), second processing section 102 switches all of device controlsystem 10, first information processing device 11 and second informationprocessing device 12 from the ON state to the OFF state (FIG. 3: S029).

Subsequently, second processing section 102 carries out “secondprocessing”.

When first processing section 101 determines that first informationprocessing device 11 has been set to receive data through a high-speedbroadcast channel (FIG. 2: YES in S019), second processing section 102maintains first information processing device 11 in the ON state (FIG.3: S020). This allows first information processing device 11 to receivethe designated data through the high-speed broadcast channel, regardlessof whether motor vehicle 1 is in the ON state or the OFF state.

Further, second processing section 102 restricts execution ofinformation processing by first information processing device 11 (FIG.3: S021). This restricts, for example, reception of data other than thedesignated data by first information processing device 11. It alsorestricts an execution instruction for information processing to firstinformation processing device 11 or second information processing device12. Specifically, a touch-panel type button displayed on the display offirst information processing device 11 is grayed out, for example, torestrict a contact to the button by the operator and, hence, theinformation processing corresponding thereto. Further, an executionrequest for information processing from second information processingdevice 12 to first information processing device 11 is restricted. Forexample, a recording request from second information processing device12 to an audio device as first information processing device 11 isrestricted, or a high-load request from second information processingdevice 12 to a navigation device as first information processing device11 is restricted.

Further, second processing section 102 outputs a “restrictionnotification” indicating that execution of information processing byfirst information processing device 11 is restricted (FIG. 3: S022).Correspondingly, the restriction notification indicating that theexecution instruction for information processing by the operator tofirst information processing device 11 is restricted is output to thedisplay. For example, a touch-panel type button displayed on the displayof first information processing device 11 is grayed out to restrict acontact to the button by the operator and the information processingcorresponding thereto. Alternatively, a prescribed voice may be outputthrough a speaker (not shown) as the restriction notification.Furthermore, the restriction notification indicating that informationprocessing according to the execution request for information processingfrom second information processing device 12 to first informationprocessing device 11 is restricted is output to second informationprocessing device 12.

Meanwhile, when first processing section 101 recognizes that receptionof the designated data by first information processing device 11 throughthe high-speed broadcast channel has been completed (FIG. 2: NO inS018), second processing section 102 removes the restriction on theinformation processing by first information processing device 11 (FIG.3: S023). Further, second processing section 102 outputs a “removalnotification” to the effect that the restriction on the informationprocessing is removed (FIG. 3: S024). Accordingly, the removalnotification indicating that the restriction on the executioninstruction for information processing by the operator to firstinformation processing device 11 or second information processing device12 has been removed is output to the display. For example, the button onthe display of first information processing device 11 that has beengrayed out is changed to an active state. Alternatively, a prescribedvoice as the removal notification may be output from the speaker.Furthermore, the removal notification indicating that the restriction onthe information processing according to the execution request forinformation processing from second information processing device 12 tofirst information processing device 11 has been removed is output tosecond information processing device 12.

Second processing section 102 displays a message for confirming whetherto update the function of first information processing device 11 orsecond information processing device 12 based on the designated data,and a touch button for operation of update instruction, on the display(see FIG. 4).

Second processing section 102 recognizes whether there has been an“update instruction operation” by the user in first informationprocessing device 11 (FIG. 3: S025).

If second processing section 102 recognizes that there has been theupdate instruction operation (FIG. 3: YES in S025), it updates thefunction of first information processing device 11 or second informationprocessing device 12 based on the designated data (FIG. 3: S026). Thefunction of first information processing device 11 or second informationprocessing device 12 is updated as the existing software stored in thememory of first information processing device 11 or second informationprocessing device 12 is partially or entirely rewritten based on thedesignated data. The designated data may be generated through decodingof the packets received by first information processing device 11.Accordingly, when motor vehicle 1 is switched from the OFF state to theON state afterwards (when the ignition switch is switched from OFF toON), first information processing device 11 or second informationprocessing device 12 is activated according to the updated or upgradedsoftware (see FIG. 2: S011).

Further, second processing section 102 causes first informationprocessing device 11 to output an “update completion notification”indicating that updating of the function of first information processingdevice 11 or second information processing device 12 has been completed(FIG. 3: S027). Correspondingly, the update completion notification isdisplayed on the display, for example. Further, the update completionnotification is transmitted to information center 20.

Thereafter, if motor vehicle 1 is in the OFF state (FIG. 3: YES inS028), second processing section 102 switches first informationprocessing device 11 and second information processing device 12 fromthe ON state to the OFF state (FIG. 3: S029).

Meanwhile, when second processing section 102 recognizes that there isno update instruction operation of the operator in first informationprocessing device 11 for more than a predetermined period of time (orthere has been an operation to suspend updating) (FIG. 3: NO in S025)and when the operator has switched the ignition switch from ON to OFF(FIG. 3: YES in S028), then second processing section 102 switches allof device control system 10, first information processing device 11 andsecond information processing device 12 from the ON state to the OFFstate (FIG. 3: S029).

According to device control system 10 exerting the above-describedfunctions, first processing section 101 causes first informationprocessing device 11 to start reception of designated data through ahigh-speed broadcast channel, on the condition that there is aprescribed operation by an operator in first information processingdevice 11 (see FIG. 2: S015, S017). Accordingly, the reception of thedesignated data is started only when there is a prescribed operation infirst information processing device 11, which may be an input to theinformation processing device of special information (key) that only theoperator knows. This prevents the designated data from being received byfirst information processing device 11 in response to an operation offirst information processing device 11 by a user of motor vehicle 1 whodoes not know the prescribed operation, and thus, prevents improperrestriction of information processing by first information processingdevice 11.

Further, first processing section 101 causes first informationprocessing device 11 to recognize the designated data (specifically, adata identifier for identification of the designated data) and toreceive the recognized designated data through the high-speed broadcastchannel (see FIG. 2: S016, S017). This prevents data other than thedesignated data from being received by first information processingdevice 11 through the high-speed broadcast channel.

Furthermore, first processing section 101 causes first informationprocessing device 11 to attain a state enabling a prescribed operationby the operator, on the condition that prescribed information broadcastfrom information center 20 has been received by first informationprocessing device 11 (see FIG. 2: S013). This prevents the designateddata from being received by first information processing device 11 at anunexpected timing, and thus, prevents improper restriction on theinformation processing by first information processing device 11.

Moreover, second processing section 102 restricts information processingby first information processing device 11 when reception of the packetsconstituting the designated data by first information processing device11 is incomplete and when first information processing device 11 hasbeen set to receive data through a high-speed broadcast channel (seeFIG. 2: YES in S018, YES in S019; and FIG. 3: S021). In this manner, theinformation processing resources of first information processing device11 are primarily allocated to reception of the designated data throughthe high-speed broadcast channel. Further, it is restricted that theinformation processing resources are allocated to information processingother than the reception of the designated data, such as informationprocessing instructed by the operator or information processingrequested from second information processing device 12. Accordingly, itis possible to surely prevent the undesirable situation whereinformation processing other than the reception of the designated datacauses shortage of the information processing resources and thus impairsthe reception of the designated data and further the execution of therelevant information processing. As described above, the operation offirst information processing device 11 mounted on motor vehicle 1 can becontrolled appropriately from the standpoint of effective use of theinformation processing resources of first information processing device11.

When the execution instruction for information processing by theoperator to first information processing device 11 is restricted, the“restriction notification” indicating that the execution instruction forinformation processing is restricted is output to the display (see FIG.3: S021, S022). This surely prevents the undesirable situation where theinstruction for information processing that is actually restricted ispermitted to the operator, thereby causing misunderstanding or confusionof the operator.

Similarly, when the execution request for information processing fromsecond information processing device 12 to first information processingdevice 11 is restricted, the “restriction notification” indicating thatthe execution request for information processing is restricted is outputto second information processing device 12 (see FIG. 3: S021, S022).This surely prevents the undesirable situation where the executionrequest for information processing that is actually restricted ispermitted to second information processing device 12, thereby impairingother information processing by second information processing device 12.It also prevents the situation, e.g., where despite a request fromsecond information processing device 12 for execution of informationprocessing to first information processing device 11, the requestedinformation processing is not executed for a long time, thus leading toerroneous detection of occurrence of an error.

The restriction on execution of the information processing by firstinformation processing device 11 is removed on the condition that it isdetermined that the reception of the designated data by firstinformation processing device 11 has been completed (see FIG. 2: NO inS018; FIG. 3: S023). In response, the information processing resourcesof first information processing device 11 that have been allocated tothe reception of the designated data through the high-speed broadcastchannel are assigned to other information processing after thecompletion of the reception of the designated data. This ensureseffective use of the information processing resources of firstinformation processing device 11.

The removal notification indicating that the restriction on execution ofthe information processing by first information processing device 11 hasbeen removed is output (see FIG. 3: S024). This allows the user andsecond information processing device 12 to recognize that the receptionof the designated data by first information processing device 11 throughthe high-speed broadcast channel has been completed and that theinformation processing restricted theretofore is now possible.

Even when motor vehicle 1 is switched from the ON state to the OFFstate, first information processing device 11 is maintained in the ONstate exceptionally on the condition that first information processingdevice 11 has been set to receive data through a high-speed broadcastchannel (see FIG. 2: YES in S019; FIG. 3: S020). Thus, it is possible tomaintain the ON state of first information processing device 11, whilemotor vehicle 1 is in the OFF state, to cause first informationprocessing device 11 to receive (or continue to receive) the designateddata through the high-speed broadcast channel. Further, since thedesignated data is broadcast at high speed from information center 20,the time required for first information processing device 11 to completereception of the designated data is reduced. In this manner, theoperation of first information processing device 11 mounted on motorvehicle 1 can be controlled to efficiently receive data, while ensuringeconomy of the resources (gasoline, battery power and others) of motorvehicle 1.

First information processing device 11 and the like are switched fromthe ON state to the OFF state in response to completion of reception ofthe designated data by first information processing device 11 (see FIG.2: NO in S018; FIG. 3: S029). This saves the resources (power) forkeeping the ON state of first information processing device 11.

Further, the update completion notification allows the operator torecognize that the function of first information processing device 11 orsecond information processing device 12 has been updated (see FIG. 3:S027). It also allows information center 20 or a concerned party torecognize the progress in updating of the function of first informationprocessing device 11 or second information processing device 12 mountedon each of a great number of motor vehicles 1, to thereby allow creationof a broadcast plan of the designated data by broadcast plan generationportion 22 of information center 20.

It is noted that first processing section 101 may cause firstinformation processing device 11 to recognize data other than thedesignated data (specifically, a data identifier for identification ofthe relevant data) and receive the recognized data through a low-speedbroadcast channel (see FIG. 2: S016). This avoids total prohibition ofreception of important data other than the designated data by firstinformation processing device 11.

Furthermore, when the reception of the designated data by firstinformation processing device 11 through the high-speed broadcastchannel is interrupted, it may be possible to control first informationprocessing device 11 to attain the ON state or the OFF state dependingon the amount of packets yet to be received among those constituting thedesignated data.

More specifically, in such a case, second processing section 102switches first information processing device 11 from the ON state to theOFF state on the conditions that motor vehicle 1 is in the OFF state andthat it is recognized that the amount of the yet-to-be-received (or,unreceived) portion of the designated data is equal to or greater than athreshold value. This prevents first information processing device 11from being maintained in the ON state for a long period of time untilcompletion of reception of the unreceived portion of the designated datathrough the low-speed broadcast channel.

Meanwhile, on the condition that it is recognized that the amount of theunreceived portion of the designated data is less than the thresholdvalue, second processing section 102 maintains first informationprocessing device 11 in the ON state to cause it to receive theunreceived portion of the designated data through the low-speedbroadcast channel. In this manner, it is possible to cause firstinformation processing device 11 to complete reception of the unreceivedportion of the designated data through the low-speed broadcast channel,while preventing prolongation of the time during which first informationprocessing device 11 is maintained in the ON state.

After motor vehicle 1 is switched from the ON state to the OFF state, ifthe reception of the designated data by first information processingdevice 11 through the high-speed broadcast channel is not finishedwithin a prescribed period of time, the setting of first informationprocessing device 11 to receive data through a high-speed broadcastchannel may be cancelled by second processing section 102, and firstinformation processing device 11 may be switched from the ON state tothe OFF state. Further, when first information processing device 11 isswitched from the OFF state to the ON state afterwards in response toswitching of motor vehicle 1 from the OFF state to the ON state, theremaining packets constituting the designated data may be received byfirst information processing device 11 through a low-speed broadcastchannel.

1. A device control system for controlling an operation of a firstinformation processing device mounted on a mobile apparatus, the firstinformation processing device having a function to receive data,broadcast at low speed or high speed from an information center, througha low-speed broadcast channel or a high-speed broadcast channel andbeing switched between an ON state and an OFF state normally in responseto switching of the mobile apparatus between an ON state and an OFFstate, the device control system comprising: a first processing sectionto recognize whether the first information processing device is set toreceive data through the high-speed broadcast channel; and a secondprocessing section, when the mobile apparatus is switched from the ONstate to the OFF state, to maintain the first information processingdevice in the ON state and cause the first information processing deviceto receive designated data through the high-speed broadcast channel onthe condition that it is recognized by the first processing section thatthe first information processing device is set to receive data throughthe high-speed broadcast channel.
 2. The device control system accordingto claim 1, wherein the first information processing device is switchedfrom the ON state to the OFF state on the conditions that it isrecognized by the first processing section that reception of thedesignated data by the first information processing device has beencompleted and that the mobile apparatus is in the OFF state.
 3. Thedevice control system according to claim 1, wherein when it isrecognized by the first processing section that reception of thedesignated data through the high-speed broadcast channel by the firstinformation processing device has been interrupted, the secondprocessing section switches the first information processing device fromthe ON state to the OFF state on the conditions that the mobileapparatus is in the OFF state and that it is recognized that an amountof an unreceived portion of the designated data is equal to or greaterthan a threshold value, and the second processing section maintains thefirst information processing device in the ON state and causes the firstinformation processing device to receive the unreceived portion of thedesignated data through the low-speed broadcast channel on the conditionthat it is recognized that the amount of the unreceived portion of thedesignated data is less than the threshold value.
 4. The device controlsystem according to claim 1, wherein the first processing sectionrecognizes whether reception of the designated data by the firstinformation processing device has been completed based on whether thenumber of packets constituting the designated data that have beenreceived by the first information processing device has reached areference number.
 5. The device control system according to claim 1,wherein after it is recognized by the first processing section thatreception of the designated data by the first information processingdevice has been completed, on the condition that there is an updateinstruction operation by an operator in the first information processingdevice, the second processing section updates a function of the firstinformation processing device or a second information processing devicethat is different from the first information processing device based onthe designated data.
 6. The device control system according to claim 5,wherein the second processing section causes the first informationprocessing device to output an update completion notification indicatingthat updating of the function of the first information processing deviceor the second information processing device based on the designated datahas been completed.
 7. An information center broadcasting data at lowspeed or high speed to be received by a first information processingdevice mounted on a mobile apparatus through a low-speed broadcastchannel or a high-speed broadcast channel, the first informationprocessing device being switched between an ON state and an OFF statenormally in response to switching of the mobile apparatus between an ONstate and an OFF state, the mobile apparatus having mounted thereon adevice control system including a first processing section to recognizewhether the first information processing device is set to receive datathrough the high-speed broadcast channel, and a second processingsection, when the mobile apparatus is switched from the ON state to theOFF state, to maintain the first information processing device in the ONstate and cause the first information processing device to receivedesignated data through the high-speed broadcast channel on thecondition that it is recognized by the first processing section that thefirst information processing device is set to receive data through thehigh-speed broadcast channel, the information center comprising: abroadcast plan notification portion to broadcast a broadcast planindicating a time zone, or a time zone and an area, in which the firstinformation processing device is capable of receiving the designateddata through the high-speed broadcast channel, to allow the broadcastplan to be output to an information terminal accessible by an operatorwho switches the mobile apparatus between the ON state and the OFFstate.
 8. The information center according to claim 7, wherein in thedevice control system, after it is recognized by the first processingsection that reception of the designated data by the first informationprocessing device has been completed, on the condition that there is anupdate instruction operation by an operator in the first informationprocessing device, a function of the first information processing deviceor a second information processing device that is different from thefirst information processing device is updated by the second processingsection based on the designated data, and an update completionnotification indicating that updating of the function has been completedis output from the first information processing device, the informationcenter further comprising: a broadcast plan generation portion togenerate the broadcast plan based on the update completion notificationoutput from the first information processing device.
 9. A motor vehicleas a mobile apparatus having a device control system mounted thereon,the device control system controlling an operation of a firstinformation processing device mounted on the mobile apparatus, the firstinformation processing device having a function to receive data,broadcast at low speed or high speed from an information center, througha low-speed broadcast channel or a high-speed broadcast channel andbeing switched between an ON state and an OFF state normally in responseto switching of the mobile apparatus between an ON state and an OFFstate, and the device control system including: a first processingsection to recognize whether the first information processing device isset to receive data through the high-speed broadcast channel; and asecond processing section, when the mobile apparatus is switched fromthe ON state to the OFF state, to maintain the first informationprocessing device in the ON state and cause the first informationprocessing device to receive designated data through the high-speedbroadcast channel on the condition that it is recognized by the firstprocessing section that the first information processing device is setto receive data through the high-speed broadcast channel.
 10. A devicecontrol program for causing a computer mounted in a mobile apparatus tofunction as a system controlling an operation of an informationprocessing device mounted on the mobile apparatus, the informationprocessing device having a function to receive data, broadcast at lowspeed or high speed from an information center, through a low-speedbroadcast channel or a high-speed broadcast channel and being switchedbetween an ON state and an OFF state normally in response to switchingof the mobile apparatus between an ON state and an OFF state, the systemincluding: a first processing section to recognize whether the firstinformation processing device is set to receive data through thehigh-speed broadcast channel; and a second processing section, when themobile apparatus is switched from the ON state to the OFF state, tomaintain the first information processing device in the ON state andcause the first information processing device to receive designated datathrough the high-speed broadcast channel on the condition that it isrecognized by the first processing section that the first informationprocessing device is set to receive data through the high-speedbroadcast channel.
 11. An establishment system for establishing acomputer mounted in a mobile apparatus as a device control system bydistributing or broadcasting part or all of a device control program andcausing the computer to store the program, the device control systemcontrolling an operation of a first information processing devicemounted on the mobile apparatus, the first information processing devicehaving a function to receive data, broadcast at low speed or high speedfrom an information center, through a low-speed broadcast channel or ahigh-speed broadcast channel and being switched between an ON state andan OFF state normally in response to switching of the mobile apparatusbetween an ON state and an OFF state, and the device control systemincluding: a first processing section to recognize whether the firstinformation processing device is set to receive data through thehigh-speed broadcast channel; and a second processing section, when themobile apparatus is switched from the ON state to the OFF state, tomaintain the first information processing device in the ON state andcause the first information processing device to receive designated datathrough the high-speed broadcast channel on the condition that it isrecognized by the first processing section that the first informationprocessing device is set to receive data through the high-speedbroadcast channel.